TheSamba.com :: View topic - Bad Wheel Bearing? Vibration braking, Humming when turning!

Tue Jul 23, 2013 11:27 am

spoon wrote: If the vibrating comes and goes, especially when turning or applying the brakes, it might be a bum wheel bearing. I just dealt with that issue...

so I did a quick search and can't find much on this topic that sounds similar to what I am experiencing other then this post:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=206639&highlight=vibration+brake

anyways my front drivers side wheel hums when I am making a turn on the freeway. Jacked the car up and it did have a slight wobble so I tighten the spindle nut down just a tad bit more so there is very little if any play. Problem is though every once in awhile i was getting slight tire squeaking when coming to a stop. Then vibrations like I was driving over a grated road when coming to a complete stop. Now I just experience this grated road vibration for a much longer span of time during my braking which was kinda scary now.. So to me it sounds like I am driving on an ever increasingly bad wheel bearing?? i check my pads the other day and they look fine with tons of life left so no loose pads there.. and my trailing arms also look fine.. just need to hear if this sounds like the issue or any other possible ones I am not thinking of right now.. I have been out of fixing classic vws for about 3-4 years now so I need some refreshers.. thanks :)

Tue Jul 23, 2013 11:41 am

- Have you checked your calipers/brakes? Loose or stuck?
- If running a different rim/tire setup, do you have caliper clearance?
- Warped disc or uneven wear?
- Bearings?

Tue Jul 23, 2013 12:05 pm

MonT3 wrote: - Have you checked your calipers/brakes? Loose or stuck?
- If running a different rim/tire setup, do you have caliper clearance?
- Warped disc or uneven wear?
- Bearings?

- Stock wheels
- Even wear on disc not warped I know what that feels like.. that is a constant vibration this is only sometimes when breaking..

- Bearings yes that is my question so seems like that is the culprit..

Tue Jul 23, 2013 12:10 pm

Make sure your top torsion arm endplay is set right. That will feel a little like wheel bearing play when you give it the shake test.

Wheel bearings usually make more noise turning left or right, as the load changes between inner and out bearings. Humming at 50-60 mph is a typical symptom. I get about twice the mileage out of the larger inners than the small outers. Expect to need new bearing seals for the rotors. Lots of good moly grease, too!

Once you have them out and cleaned, any pitting or discoloration means they are junk.

Tue Jul 23, 2013 12:17 pm

Quote: Jacked the car up and it did have a slight wobble so I tighten the spindle nut down just a tad bit more so there is very little if any play.

there should be a standard endplay adjustment on the tapered bearings, if you tighten them up and take away the endplay the bearings will heat up and accelerate the wear/ shorten the life of the bearing.

http://www.timken.com/en-in/solutions/automotive/a...nglish.pdf

Quote: Note: Failure to back off adjusting
nut could cause bearing to run
hot and be damaged. Wheel
could lock or separate.

Tue Jul 23, 2013 1:06 pm

W1K1 wrote: Quote: Jacked the car up and it did have a slight wobble so I tighten the spindle nut down just a tad bit more so there is very little if any play.

there should be a standard endplay adjustment on the tapered bearings, if you tighten them up and take away the endplay the bearings will heat up and accelerate the wear/ shorten the life of the bearing.

http://www.timken.com/en-in/solutions/automotive/a...nglish.pdf

Quote: Note: Failure to back off adjusting
nut could cause bearing to run
hot and be damaged. Wheel
could lock or separate.

Thanks, I figured its just like any other bearing like on a skateboard.. if its too tight it will melt the hub and damage the bearing.. so yeah i gave it some wobble.. maybe not enough though..

Wed Jul 24, 2013 7:13 am

tim3 wrote: W1K1 wrote: Quote: Jacked the car up and it did have a slight wobble so I tighten the spindle nut down just a tad bit more so there is very little if any play.

there should be a standard endplay adjustment on the tapered bearings, if you tighten them up and take away the endplay the bearings will heat up and accelerate the wear/ shorten the life of the bearing.

http://www.timken.com/en-in/solutions/automotive/a...nglish.pdf

Quote: Note: Failure to back off adjusting
nut could cause bearing to run
hot and be damaged. Wheel
could lock or separate.

Thanks, I figured its just like any other bearing like on a skateboard.. if its too tight it will melt the hub and damage the bearing.. so yeah i gave it some wobble.. maybe not enough though..

So, have you pulled it apart and inspected it yet?

Wed Jul 24, 2013 12:28 pm

naw I dont have time to take the whole thing apart just the hub cover off.. I just dropped it off at Tassi in Colma to get the ball joints and bearings replaced..

Thu Jul 25, 2013 10:19 am

So just for future owners in a similar situation it was definitely the wheel bearings.. replaced and all good now..

Thu Jul 25, 2013 6:20 pm

tim3 wrote: So just for future owners in a similar situation it was definitely the wheel bearings.. replaced and all good now..

Glad to hear you it was just that. Alwyas to good to read about peoples quick wins when working issues and at the same time learning something new.